As I've said on this journey - I get by with a little help from my friends. AND yes I get HIGH with a little help from my friends. Friends who have shared wisdom, taught us what to look for, showed us the many different options and shared stories and lessons - in hopes that we might be able to avoid some of the harsher lessons.. why? Because they know how much this means to us. It is our life. I can not imagine my son without his medication. WILL NOTI have met some really special people, some I see just in passing others I've worked up a bit of a friendship with through e mail. I have asked a few to share with me and in hope that I might share with you. Perhaps if we all could get past the negative stigma and meet some of the real people you will understand why this issue is so important to so many people.

My Friend Patti:my story I've been smoking Cannabis for 35+ years. Looking back, it seems that I used it for different reasons depending on my situation at the time. I was born with Spina Bifida ( "split spine") Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect (NTD) which occurs within the first four weeks of pregnancy. The spinal column fails to develop properly resulting in varying degrees of permanent damage to the spinal cord and nervous system. Nerve damage is permanent. This results in varying degrees of paralysis of the lower limbs. Because of Spina Bifida I developed Scoliosis and in my 30's Tethered Spinal Cord SyndromeMyelomeningocele/Lipomyelomeningocele Tethered spinal cord syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. These attachments cause an abnormal stretching of the spinal cord I first tried Cannabis in my early teens. I liked it right away, and became a weekend thing. As soon as I was able to find it on my own, I was a daily smoker. Before during and after school. The world does not treat you right when you look different, so for me cannabis helped me thru my teens feel better about who I was, no matter what people said or did to me. I didn't realize it at the time, but I had panic attacks at and about being at school. I continued to smoke Cannabis thru my 20's daily as it just made me feel better and helped me get through my work day as well as home life. I always looked forward to every joint I smoked. When I was 32 my mom died unexpectedly. I was very close to her and at the time I didn't think I could survive thru the grief. Suffering from what I think was p.t.s.d with nightmares never ending tears, and depression......Cannabis was there for me. Helped me do what I had to do to survive. Life went on .... at 44 broke my hip in 4 pieces. Again cannabis was there for me through the recovery. I was given Oxy's but didn't take them. Recovery took over a year. From then on because of the "tethered" spinal cord, and my repaired hip I am now am in chronic pain. I was told by the doctor that my walking would get more limited and pain would get worse. So for now.....the Cannabis help dull the pain, and helps me function and get through my days. Special mention to: Thanking Blaine and MedCannAccess for making it possible to get good meds.

*** The toon above I drew for Patti and it was a pleasure to know I've made her smile. I thank her for sharing her e mail and photos and positive words. She has inspired me to work harder at what I do.

All work property of georgia toons . georgia peschel *please write for permission to use any work. 2018

Bob Andrews

28/1/2012 01:32:44 pm

It's good to know that we are not alone and that we can rely on a little help from our friends and get by with a little help from our friends. The Beatles tune is just ringing in my mind every time I hear those words as simple as they are.
We all need a little help sometimes.